Randall testifies in own defence in murder trial

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Glenn Randall broke down in tears and buried his face in his hands moments before telling the 12-member jury he never planned to murder his ex-girlfriend Brenda Walker but takes responsibility for her death.
Entering the second week of the three-week-long first degree-murder trial, a groomed and well-composed Randall took the stand to recall the few details he remembered of events leading up to the fatal shooting of Walker on Jan. 6, 2015.
Randall claimed he has no memory of killing Walker, his actions afterwards, or being questioned by Strathmore RCMP from 11:40 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walker and Randall dated for nine months until the relationship ended in December 2014 – weeks before her death – due to the strain of Randall’s continued friendship with his ex-girlfriend Laura Hicks.
Randall told the jury that on the day before the murder, he had returned home from the funeral of a friend’s wife, and was upset and drank several glasses of red wine. Text messages revealed he corresponded with Walker until 11:22 p.m. on Jan. 5, messaging her to stay away from him, that he was not a good person and not the person she thought he was.
The 56-year-old said the last thing he remembered that night was snuggling his cat Minimix and grabbing his medicine bag. After that, Randall said the next memory he has is fuelling up at a Bassano gas station hours after the incident, although he can’t remember whether he interacted with staff or how he paid; talking on the phone to both his sisters but not able to recall context; and then talking with a member of the RCMP, a man whose voice he described as sounding “angelic.”
While Randall remained calm and composed throughout his testimony, he choked back tears and reached for tissues when a 911 call revealed the last moments of Walker’s life. Walker had managed to call the emergency dispatch, stating an armed man was in her house. The audio captured her screams before several gunshots rang out and Randall’s voice could be heard saying “I love you, I’m sorry.” A low, haunting moan then filled the courtroom as the recording captured Randall wailing and moaning shortly after. The former Strathmore resident identified himself as the one making the sound, but told the courts earlier this week that he had no recollection of what transpired and was captured on the 911 call.
When asked by defence lawyer Michael Bates whether Randall meant to kill Walker and wanted her dead, Randall began sobbing and shaking.
“Brenda was beautiful inside and out, she was wonderful, caring and compassionate,” he said. “We loved each other. She was my friend. I never wanted her gone. I can’t understand it, I don’t know how this happened. It just doesn’t make sense.”
The jury also heard about Randall’s former relationship with Hicks and his involvement with her children and grandchildren, his financial woes and failed business, and the love for his mother and a trip to New Brunswick Walker paid for, for him to be able to say his goodbyes before his mother passed away.
Randall was also questioned about his interactions with Walker after their split, including his encounter with her at the King Eddy Pub on Jan. 2 where she was seen with Trinity Rossignol, who testified last week, and with whom she left the bar. While Randall assumed the two left together he said he didn’t actually see them leave together. Rossignol also told court last week that he was not in a romantic relationship with Walker.
“I felt sad and broken-hearted,” Randall told the court. “I still loved Brenda and I never stopped loving her.”
At the time of Walker’s death, he was also in possession of 13 firearms. Randall started competition shooting in his early 20s but only managed to make it to the shooting range in Strathmore approximately six times over a decade. He owned three long guns and 10 handguns. Walker died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso.
The trial was expected to continue on Wednesday, Oct. 31, with Bates and defence lawyer Jennifer Ruttan calling the final witness – a forensic toxicologist – to testify on the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body and results from the breathalyser test taken at the time (due to Strathmore Times press deadlines, Oct. 31 trial details were unavailable).
Randall suffered from multiple medical issues that landed him in the emergency room several times in December 2014. He suffered from a bowel obstruction, bladder infections, sinus infections and kidney stones. Additionally, no fewer than 12 medications were seized from his home ranging from over-the-counter cold and pain medication to Codeine Phosphate, Losec, Valium and Coversyl, which addressed migraines, pain, blood pressure, prostate issues, cholesterol and stomach acid. Randall also stated he took at least five of the drugs on a regular basis.
Lawyers were expected to make their closing arguments this week followed by jury deliberations and a verdict.